Colorful Tunisian Afghans to Crochet

Tunisian crochet, or the Afghan stitch, is a crochet method that gives the appearance of knitting. Combine that with a pattern embroidered on top and you have a beautiful work of art! These 6 lovely afghans are all crocheted using Red Heart baby- or worsted-weight yarn. They are worked in panels, blocks or one piece. Charts are included for each pattern so a beautiful floral design can be embroidered on top of the finished afghan.

I have almost finished the butterfly blanket, and I have found this to be easier than expected. The crossed single crochet was one I had never done before, and the directions in the back for some reason didn't click, but the written ones with the pattern did, and then it was really easy. I am loving how it is looking as I finish each part, and even though I am taking a good deal of time getting it finished, I know I am going to love giving this lovely design as a gift. I definitely want to try the other patterns in the book.

The six patterns included in this booklet are beyond beautiful. With crocheted panels (Tunisian crochet that is) and cross stitching, you can create one of these projects. They are done in soft colors, earth tones and even a Pennsylvania Dutch one that reminds me of Christmas colors.

In reading over the instructions, I find, as I always have, that Tunisian crochet is not for the amateur or beginner crocheter. While I love doing the very simple Tunisian, the stitches for these are beyond my ability to interpret even with the fact that I have been crocheting for over 50 years.

The stitch guide in the back of the book explains how to do each of the needed stitches but the way the explanations are written are not clear in my mind. Also some of the patterns have popcorn stitches and that required dropping a loop and inserting your hook in another stitch and picking the dropped loop up again. My patience doesn't last for this stitch even through it makes a very lovely one. Then there are the front post and back post stitches -- again I intellectually know but can never make my hook do what it says.

The cross stitch is something I am good at and if I could get someone to make the afghan for me, I could use the book to finish it with the embroidery as that is shown in chart form just like any counted cross stitch directions. Flowers, butterflies and leaves add the finishing touches to these beautiful afghans.

If you have more patience or are good at Tunisian crochet already, this is a very nice book of afghans and you will be ready to create one for yourself or as a gift.